Aircraft landing gear



July 18, 1933 J. c. RADNOR- AIRCRAFT LANDING GEAR 7 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb. 13, 1951 asn l INVENTOR V July 18, 1933. .1. c. RADNOR AIRCRAFT LANDING GEAR Filed Feb. l5, 1931 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 111111111111. ll-l- Aw: A A .i-..-...,.......................V....M=. u 4

J. c. RADNOR` AIRCRAFT LANDING GEAR Filed Feb. 13, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR July 18, 1933.

J. c, RADNOR AIRCRAFT LANDING GEAR Filed Feb. is, 19,51 '7 sheetsfsheet 4 |N vENToR July l18, 1933.

J.' C. RADNQR AIRCRAFT LANDING GEAR Filed Feb. i3. v1931 I agis July 18, 1933. J; c. RADNOR 1,918,426

AIRCRAFT LANDING GEAR Filed Feb. 15,1931 v sheets-sheets INVENTOR LW @W July 18, 1933.

J. C. RADNOR AIRCRAFTLANDING GEAR `7 Sheets-Sheet 7 lNvENToR Filed Feb. 13, 1931 lis v'Patented Jui'y is, 1933 UNITED vSTATES :Ess c. Bannon, or NEW Yoan, N. Y.

moana' LANDING @ma 'appumion nieu rem-nary is', 193i. 4semi No. 515,537.

This invention relates to means for moving the members or structures comprising the -landing gear or alighting carriage .of air- Y craft from their operating position las landing means to other positions about the airv craft when the same is in 4flight for the purpose of reducing the parasitic resistance to the windor drag presented by the survfaces of' the various parts comprising land.- applicable to aircraft designed to alight upon land or water and/or both. i In aircraft, it is Adesirable t'o reduce the .amount of so called parasitic resistance or the landing gear when the aircraft in flight. The resistance offered by these parts -v is called parasitic because it is resistance to' the passage 'of the air' through which the aircraft is traveling caused by parts of the aircraft which do not contribute to its propulsion after it has left the ground and is in the air. The landing means, comprising contact means with the medium upon kwhichl the aircraft comes to rest, whether land or water, must necessarily be in an extended or spaced position relative to the other parts of the aircraft just before and during the means may be in proper extended position when the aircraft is alighting-upon, or taking off from landA or water and may be removed to other desirable positions about other( parts of the aircraft and ,out of the -windstream when it is in flying position, s uch means to be under the control of the pilot or operator. These desirable positions may be adjacent the body or fuselage of the aircraft or adj acent engines or engine nacelles mounting gear or carriage, and this invention iswind drag set up by the various parts of l time that the aircraft is alighting or taking means whereby the landing or alightingl ed on the fuselage or along the wings, or

:other parts ofthe aircraft.

This invention relates particularl to hydraulic and/or pneumatic means or moving the wheels, floats, pontoons, skids, or 55 hulls,` axles, struts, spacing'l members and shock absorbers used as alightin means for aircraft from the alighting position to the lretracted position. f d y In describing my invention the terms ap- 0 plicablev to aircraft will bev used in their broadest sense. The term aircraft is used to designate and include airplanes, hydroplanes, seaplanes, il ing boats and the socalled amphibians for alighting upon lan and hulls,pontoons or y' floats for a-lighting upon water. By alightticular, combination and design of any aircraft. The term aligliting position will be used to designate that position assumed by the alighting means of'an of the various aircraft for the purpose o making contact with the land or water and/or both which s it is designed to ride upon. The term sheltered position will be used to designate that position assumed by the alighting means in the several preferred embodiments of this invention described and illustrated herein for the pur se of reducing the parasitic resistance or wind drag set up by said alightingmeans by positioning same ad3acent to other parts of the aircraft such as'fuselageor body, engines, engine nacelles, wings or any other part not ofthe alighting means or by merely changing'the position of the various parts of the alighting means for the purposes of presenting a more streamlined pe-,I riphery of samen While .many various forms and mod1iications -of my invention Willfoccur to those Y skilled in the art Without departing from the principles thereof, in 'the preferred embodiments ofthe invention there is comrovided with wheels 06 l prised a retractingand distending incohenism for the purpose of moving the alighting means from'the alighting position to the sheltered position after the craft is in-the air and to thrust the alighting means into alighting position when it is desired to bring the aircraft to earth or water. This retracting and distending mechanism is operated b hydraulic means under the control of the pilot in the aircraft, and is connected to the alighting means and some other-part of the 'aircraft in coo ration with suitable pivoty ing, spacing an axle gear to control the relative movement between the alighting means and the aircraft. The retracting and distending mechanism performs the function, when the alighting means is in alighting position, of maintaining the same in extended position, `either rigidly or with desirable resiliency. c c

The retracting and distending mechanism comprises a plurality of cylinders of diiferent inner and outer dimensions and in telescopic relationship of cylinders and pistons sliding longitudinally along a substantially common axis. A number of these-cylindrical menibers together with-an innermost .piston andy rod comprises a series of one or more cylinder chambers having a common` iud connection to 'afsource of fluid pressure and evacuation located at some convenient place, upon the aircraft.` The retracting and distending -mechanisms are interposed between'the aircraft and the wheels or floats of'the alight- 1ng means through connecting means of uni-y versal articulation, such as Joints and the like. A series of cooperating y vx cylinders form a retracting and distending vmecha'nismwhich may be used singlyor incombination with 'one or `more other retracting and distending mechanisms to perform the function of retracting and distending the al1 hting meansupon an aircraft.

vacuation 'ofthel fluid chambers draws the pistons into the cylinders in such manner as to effect a longitudinal contraction of the overall length of the retracting and distend- -ing mechanism, effecting a movement of the alighting means to `thedesiredsheltered position. Expanding the chambers by fluid means results in a longitudinal distensionof`- the retracting and distending mechanism and 'moves the alighting means into alighting positionand holds it there rigidly or resiliently when desired. The landing and riding shocks arel taken resiliently, along the substantially `common longitudinal axis rofthe retracting and distending mechanism because -of the compressibility of the fluid medium 6 n Within.

One of the particular features of this invention is the construction whereby one or more cylinder chambers comprising the retracting and distending mechanism have a c fluid connecting means with one another and all and socketl vwith the centrally located source of Huid pressure and evacuation which is operable at anyy position of the parts within the limits of Itheir contracting and distending range.

It is another feature of -this invention to provide a mechanism for the purpose of furnishing retracting and distending motion to the alighting'means, of an aircraft which is capable of reducing its overall length when fully contracted to less than one-half of it distended vor extended length.

vIt is another featureof this invention to provide a mechanism for the purpose of furnishing retracting and distending motion to the alighting means of an aircraft which is capable of reducing its overall length when fully contracted to less than one-half of its distended or ext-ended length and which is capable of withstanding and cushioning the landing and riding shocks received by the landing gear or alighting' means Aof an aircraft.

The linkage means, comprising the struts,

axles, guide wires and spacing members which cooperate with the retracting and distending mechanisms to control the movement of the alighting means, may be arranged 1n' manv different ways to secure the greatest illustrated herein, as applicable to different types of aircraft, lthe wheels or ioats are mounted upon members pivoted in suchv manner that the' alighting means can be swung :isV

from extended or alighting position to sheltered or Hight positionlby such pivoting and movement, which is accomplished by the contractionv or distension of the retracting orl distending mechanism.

The alighting means may be operably connected to the aircraft in such manner that the weight of the aircraft and the landing and riding shock are carried directly by the retracting mechanism in a direction generally through' its substantially longitudinal axis,

as in some of the preferred embodiments of this invention; or theweight, landing, and riding shocks may be borne by other members-ofthe lighting means connected to other parts of the aircraft without the retracting or distending v mechanism performing this function.

The arrangement of the linkage means for the alighting means in cooperation with the retracting and distending mechanisms may take any of the various forms for securing relative movement between two objects and no limitation is intended by the phraseol0gy,

dimensions or numbers of parts used herein to describe the general principles and some of l the preferred embodiments of this invention.

The-means whereby theobjects of this invention are attainedand some particular apstood byv reference to the following description together with the accompanying dra-wings, in which Figure 1 is a'sectional view along the longitudinal axis of a retracting and distending mechanism and of the various members com;

prising the fluid pressure and evacuating means, and showing said mechanism and said fluid means in position to be contracted.

Figure 2 is a view in -section through the socket attachment means'for connecting jthe retracting and distending mechanism to the aircraft taken on the line 2 of Figure 1.

Figure, 3 is a view in cross section taken along line 3-3 of Figure 1 showing the relation of the walls of the cylindrical members of the retracting and distending mechanism. Figure 4 is an enlarged view in section of parts of the retracting and distending mechanism, showing the parts ofthe retracting and distending mechanism slightly'advanced toward retracted position.

Figure 5 is a view partly in section showing'a part of the retracting and distending v mechanism, wherein the rod *and piston are tending mechanism as in the valve means of the fluid pressure andretracted into the cylinder chamber of the intermediate member.

Figure 6 is a view showing parts of the retracting and distending mechanism inthe fully'retracted position, wherein the rod is drawn into the cylinder chamber of the intermediate member and said intermediate member is retracted into the cylinder chamber of the. outer cylindrical member.

Figure 7 is a view in section of the valve means incorporated in the fluid pressure and,

bemg 1n posicvacuating means, said valve tion .for distending or elongating the retracting and distending mechanism.,

' Figure 8 is a view of the retracting and disigure 1,'-except evacuating means is in closed or locked position 'to retain the retracting and distending mechanism in distended position.

Figure 9 is a lateral view partly in section showing an aircraft adapted to alight upon land and equipped with a suitable embodiment of this invention and showing one wheel in the distended position and the other wheel in the retracted or sheltered position. lFigures 10 and 11 'are other-sectional views of. the aircraft shown in Figure 9 and show sections taken substantially along line 10--10 of Figure 9 and for the purpose of illustration, showing the wheels in distendedl position in Figure 10 and in retracted or sheltered position in Figure 11. f Y

Figure 12 is a head-on view partly .in section -and partly diagrammatic showing the retracting and distending -mechanism applied to an aircraft to move the alighting means into sheltered positions behind motors spacedA from the body of the craft, and show- -or iloats drawn into sheltered ing, forli-,he purpose of illustration, one

wheel in the sheltered position and one wheel y in the distended posit1on. v

shield or she tering means for the wheels into y which one of the wheels has been drawn by the retracting mechanism of this invention. Figure 14 is a-lateral view, partly in section, of an aircraft having a plurality of pontoons or floats to alight upon water and `provided withthe retracting mechanism of the invention and showing one of the pontoons position and therother, in extended position.

Figure 15 is a view partly in section of the aircraft shown in Figure 14 and taken substantially along the line 15-15 of Figure 14 and showing one pontoon or float in sheltered position and one in distended position.

Figure 16 is a view partly in section and partly diagrammatic looking down upon the aircraft' shown in Figures 14 and 15 and` .and extending mechanism having an inner bore or cylindrical surface 21 in which the 'intermediateg cylindrical member 23 recipro cates longitudinallv. A piston head 24 is provided at the top of the cylindrical member 23, carries a plurality of piston rings in order to prevent the passage` of fluld around the piston head 24 as it reciprocates within the bore 21 of the cylindrical member 20.

The^ intermediate cylindrical member 23 has aninternalborc 27 and the piston rod 28 is provided with a piston head 29 also fitted with a plurality of piston rings 30 and adapted'to reciprocate within the bore 27 of the intermediate cylindrical vmember 23.

The lower end of the cylindrical member 2() is fitted with a suitable packing means, such as the gland and nut indicated 'generally by 25. Similarly', cylindrical member 23 is equipped at its lower end with a. suitable packing means such as the gland and nut 1ndicated generally by 34. Gland nut 25 1s threaded onto the cylindrical member 20 after the insert-i on of the head 24 and serves to limit thereby the extended position of cylindrical bore 27 and thereby serves to limit the eX- tended movement of the rod 28.

Near the top vof the cylindrical member 2O 125 there is a socket 36 to receive a ball joint 83 carried by the air craft. The ball joint 83 is secured to the member 20 by the socket clamp 84 which is secured in some suitable manner, as ,by four bolts threaded into the member 20. The ball and socket joint 83- 84 secures the cylinder 20 and its'associated mechanism to t e aircraft. At the bottom of rod 28, there is provided a ball 37 ,adapted to fitinto suitable socket' members attached telescope, Iin the following manner: 1o

to the, different alighting means of various types of aircraft, such as the socket members 86 of' Figure 10. The retracting and distending mechanism is caused to retractrlcr e valve core 50' is placed in the position shown in Figure 1, by means of the valve handle 55 thereby connecting the pipe 40, which convalve passage 53 in t nects with the passage 38 by means of the flexible hose 39, with the ipe 48 by means of the lie valve core 50. Pipe 48 leads from the valve port 46 of the valve casing 49 to the port 52 of the casing 59 of any suitable pumping means, such as the cylindrical pump chamber 57, the pump piston 58 and rod 62,'together with the flow control check-valves 66 and 64, arranged to permit the passage of fluid in one direction which is indicated by the arrows in the pipes 48 and 60. From theport 54 ofthe pump, pipe 60 connects port 42 of the valve casing 49, which is connected through passage 51 of the valve core 50 to the port 44 of the casing and pipe 70, connected at its other end to e passage 32 in the member 20'by means of the flexible hose 31. Check valve 66 is designed to permit lthe fluid within the pipe 48 to flow in the direction of the arrows therein and thereby to admit fluid to the pump chamber 57 upon the suction stroke of the piston 58 and to resist and prevent the passageof the fluid upon vthe compression stroke of the piston 58. Check valve 64 is adapted to permit the escape of the fluid through pipe 60 from the' ump chamber 57 upon the compression sto e of the piston 58. Y

When the valve core is in the position of Figure 1, the intake port 52 of the pump means 57--62 is connected through pipes 48,

passage 53, pipe 40, hose 39 and passage 38 to the cylinder chamber 22 and through a plurality of apertures 37fin thepiston head 24 to the cylinder chamber 26. Operation of the pump means 57-62 will thereby draw the fiuid within the chambers 26 and 22 u through the fluid system just mentioned into the chamber 57 and through the pipe 60, valve passage 51 and pipe 7() under pressure to the l passage 32 which is connected to the longiwith a longitudinally extending passage 35 connecting at the upper endwith the chamber 22A through the aperture 35A and at its lower end with the circular passage 26A which is that portion of the cylinder chamber 26 below' lthe piston head 29 carried on the rod 28. i

Fluid pressure introduced into the passage 33 exerts a pressure in the connected chamber 22A, passageA v35, chamber 26A and against the under side of the piston head 29 thereby forcing said. head 29 and rod 28 into the chamberv26 until it reaches its limit of travel against the under side of the piston 24l as shown-in Figure 5. There being no further movement of the piston 29 possible, the pressure continues to the chamber 22A and exerts against the under side of the piston head 24, said piston head 24 and intermediate cylinder 23, together with the enclosed rod 28 are forced upward into the cylinder chamber 22 of thecylindrical member 20 until it reaches its limit of travel against the upper end of the cylinder chamber 22 as shown in Figure 6. Thus the fluid contents of the chamber 26 and 22, forced through the series of connected passages and chambers by the pumping means `57-62 into those portions of the chambers below the pistonheads 24 and 29 forces thesepistons into their uppermost or retracted position and thereby effecting a relative movement between the aircraft to which the mechanism is connected by ball and socket joint 36, 83 and 84 and the alighting means connected to the mechanism bythe ball and socket joint 37 and 86.

For purposes of illustration and description, the rod `28 and head 29 has been shown to havereached its completely retracted position within the chamber 26 of the intermediate member 23, before the intermediate member 23 has started upon its retraction movement into the cylinder chamber 22 of the cylindrical member 20, but it should be understood that in actual'operation of a retract- .ing and distending mechanismbuilt according tothis invention, the movement of the rod 28 and the intermediate member 23 may be simultaneous at the same or different rates of travel, When the retracting and` distending mechl anism is fully contracted and the alighting means has reached the limit of its travel to- A ward the flight or sheltered position' the alighting means may be maintained in such position by closing the fluid line whereby the rod' 28 and intermediate cylindrical member 23 are held in position withdrawn into their respective bores as in Figure 6 by maintaining pressure in the fluid 'line 33--22A, 35, and 26A.- This is accomplished by moving the valve handle 55 to position the valve core 50 as in Figure 8, wherein the valve assages 51 andv`53 do not connect any of the ports 42, 44, 46and 56 and the fluid pipes 70 and los 40 with their connecting passages and conduits are closed by the solid walls of the valve -core 50. The lretention of the alighting means in sheltered position may also be assisted or wholly accomplished by some suitable locking or grappling means connected.

to the aircraft which becomes effective after.

the completion of the retracting movement.

. T-he use of such locking or grappling means is contemplated in connection with the re- ,tracting and distending mechanism of this invention but is not shown here.

When it is desired to withdraw the alight;

ing means from sheltered or flight position l5 toalighting or extended position, the valve handle 55 is moved into horizontal position,

thereby positioning the valve core 50,I as inv Figure 7, thereby connecting ports 44 and 46 by valve passage53 and connecting ports 42 and 56 by valve passage 51, lwhich connests the passages 33 of member 20 and 35 of the member 23 with-the intake ort 52 of the pumping means 57-62 throug pipesl 70, passage 53 and pipe 48 and pipe 60 conv25necting outlet port 54 of the pump through valve passage 51 with pipe 40 and passage 38 to the chambers 22 and 26. With the valve'core 50 in this position, the operation l of the pumping means evacuates the passages v 33 and g 35 and the spaces between the rod 28 and thecylinder .wall 27 'of the intermediate cylinder 23 and the space between the outer wall ofthe intermediate member 23 and the inner wall 21 of the cylinder cham- '945 ber 22 by drawing the fluid through the pipes 70, passage 53'and pipe 48 and forcing it through pipe 60,1 passage 51 and pipe 40 into the chambers 22 and 26 thereby forcingdown the piston heads 24 and 29 in their respec- 40 tive cylinders. Sometimes it may not be necessary to exert a pressure to return the retracting and distending mechanism tothe distended position for the weight of the alighting means which it supports may be suiiicient to pull the member into extended position through gravity when the pressure in the Huid system is released. When the retracting and distending mechanism is in extended position, valve core may be I '5 locked in closed position as in Figure 8 rein means. g

The fluid to be used in this invention may` be air or oil or glycerine or any combina tion of air or oilor glycerine or other suitable iluid means. The Huid storage tank 45 with the valve 47 and the valve 43 connect,- ing the pipe 48 with atmosphere, when open, may be used by the operator to maintain within the Huid line as a whole a desirable combination of suitable fluids or liquids and the pressure therein'may be regulated b the use of the pumping means 57--62 and the valve 43. Such uid line comprises the chambers 26 and 22 and the passage 38, pipe 4Q, passage 53, pipe 48,I pump chamber 57, plpe 60, passage 51, pipe 70, passage 33 and passage 35 and the othenconnected c haxnbers and apertures under Afluid pressure. The passages 33 and 35 may be put under a pressure greater than that derived throu h the exhaustion of the chambers 26-22 gy the expedient of turning the valve core 50 Y to the position of Figure 1, whereby the ports 46 and 56 are connected by the-passage 53 and the ports 42 and 44 are connected by thev passage 51 and opening the valve 43 to at.- lnosphere andoperating the pumpin mechanism42v-56. Thisdraws in' air t rough valve 43 and forces it into the conduits v33 and 35 and the space between the rod 28 and the wall 27 of member 23 and between the member 23 and the cylinder wall 21 of the member 20. y

The pressure in the can be increased to the pressure desirable for resisting the alighting and riding shocks b positioning the valvevcore 50 as 1n Figure and opening the 4valve 43 and operating the pumping means 57 `62 which forces air from chambers 22 and 26 'valve 43 into the vpassage 38 and chambers .l

22 and 26 under pressure.

When it is desiredl to introduce more oil V101sA either into the chambers 26 and 22 when the mechanism is distended, or into the passages 33 and 35-When the mechanism is retracted, lthe valve 47 `is 'opened and the pumping means'57--62 is operated with the valve core in either position of Figure 7 or Figure 1 .according towh-ether the mechanism is distended or contracted. A Y

One means whereby an, aircraft designed to take off and alight upon the land by means of wheels may be provided with the device of this invention` is illustrated inA Figures 9,y

10 and 11', wherein two retracting and distending cylinder-s2() are mounted crosswise upon supportin bars 75 anchored to frame members178 wit in apmonocoquefusela-ge 79 and adapted to have universal relative movement therebetween within a suitable range by a ball enlargement of the bars 75 fittingv into the socket 36 and secured therein by the socket clamp 84. AThe landing means or wheels pass through apertures 87 within the fuselage 79 and are connected to forked axle shafts 85 for the wheels at points adjacent the'wheels by any suitable ball 37 and socketV iso a means 86 permitting universal articulation within suitable range. The forked axle,

shafts 85 are pivotcd centrally beneath the fuselage ,7 9 by means of a pivot pin 89 carried in struts 91 rigidly secured to the fuselage 79. The forked axle shafts 85 carry the landing wheels 90 and are so dis osed'upon the pivot 89 that when the lan ing wheels are retracted or withdrawn into the u upwardly intethe interior of the fuselage 79 through the apertures 87. -In such retracted position, the axle shafts 85 will be in fore and aft alignment with the struts 91.

The retracting and distendingy mechanisms v are attached to opposite axle shafts at their lower ends and are anchored at their up r ends in staggered relation, that is, one or- 'ward of theother with respect to the longitudinal axislof the aircraft in order' that the axle shafts 85 and the wheels90 may be nested in close proximity thereto as in Figure 11. Pipes 40 are connected to al common pipe and the pipes 70 are connected to a common pipe running to the fluid system comprising. the valve 42-56, pump 57-62, valve 43 and the tank 45 and valve 47 located at any convenient place within the reach of the operator of the aircraft. and shown in dotted lines in Figure 9 along the wall of the fuselage 79 adjacent the cockpit.

When l the retracting and distending mechanisms are retracted by the pilotV prop-4 erly arranging the-valve core means not shown.

When the aircraft is about to land, movement of the valve core 50 to the position shown in Figure 7 and operation of the ump 57-.62 will extend the retracting an distending mechanism and the axles 85 and wheels 90 will-be forced downward and outward to the extended `position beneath the fuselage for the pur ose of alighting.

An embodiment of t is'invention as adapted to aircraft having sheltered positions spaced from the fuselage as shown in Figures 12 and 13, wherein the landing wheels 290 and 291 are adaptedl to' be retracted to positions behind motors 2,50 and 251 which are spacedv from the body or fuselage 279 of the aircraftand carried by the wings. For pur- .poses of description and illustration, one of the wheels 290 of the aircraft is shown in ex- -tended or alightingl position and `the other 4291 isshown in sheltered position,f but -it will v be understood that in operation, both wheels v29() and 291 will be simultaneously retracted Y' as shown byv the position of wheel `291 and 5 extendedas shown by the position of wheel, l

selage, the axle shafts 85 and wheels 90 will be drawn upward. `Motors 250 and 251, Ishown diasupport, such as the anchor rod 275 which is .passed through an aperture-in the'lower cov-y ering of the wing with free clearance therefrom and being secured to the wing 230 in some suitable manner,- as by bolting to the spar 260 which extends tracting and distending mechanism is connected by .means permitting of universal Ino-k tion, such as the ball and socket joint 286 longitudinally. the 7 length of the wing. The lower end of the reat the end of the axle shafts 240, one of which ,80

carries the landing wheel 290 and is carried i l `with the forked shafts 285 pivoted at 289 to the body or fuselage27 9, in such manner that the wheel'290 may be swung upward, and the and is carried by the forked shafts 288 pivoted at 299 to the body or fuselage 279, in such manner that the wheel 291 may be swung grammatically in full and dotted lines in Figure 12, are spaced apart from the body or fuselage 279 and are rigidly aixed to the Wing 230 or fuselage 279 in some suitable manner, not shown, for the purpose of pro- 95. l

pelling same. a

The retracting and distending mechanisms 20-28 are connected by theJ fluid lines 40 and 70 shown in dotted lines in Figure 12 as running through the interior of the wing to 10.0

some convenient central location within the aircraft and there connecting with a suitable form of Huid pressure andevacuating means' such as that previously described and shown in Figures 1 through 8 which can be operated 105 ,by the pilot. When it is desired to move the alighting means or wheels 290 and 291 into the retracted or sheltered position, the pilot of the aircraft sets in operation the fluid retracting and distending mechanism thereby moving the landing wheels 290 and 291/upward to a sheltered position behind the motors 250. and 251 or some other part located about the aircraft. For the purpose of improving the aerodynamic effect of the alighting means and retracting and distending mechanisms in the sheltered or contracted positions, a hood, shell, or -nacelle 220 may be other which carries the landing wheel, 291

means heretofore described and contracts the n1 1 n provided havin apertures through which the retracting mec anism may e-nter thereinto and a suitable aperture through which the wheel may be pulled. This shell, 220, may be of any desirable shape in order to minimizethe wind eddies formed by its pas-4125 sage through the lair which reduce the aerodynamic eliciency.

An embodiment of this invention adapted to aircraft designed to take oil:l and alight upon water and provided for this,purpose witha plurality of floats, pontoons or other i alighting means is illustrated in Figures 14,

15, and 16, wherein two identical retracting and distending mechanisms 420 and 440 having fluid connections through pipes 40 and 70 to a suitable Huid pressure and evacuating meanslocated at some convenient central position'within the fuselage or body 37 9 of the aircraft, which position is not shown. The retracting and distending mechanisms 420 and 440 are connected at their uppermost ends to the body or fuselage 379 of .an air craft b universal connections, such as ball and soc et joints 354 alixed to securing members, such as the rods 375 which are secured to frame pieces 378.

AAn aircraft win'g 330 is attached to the fuselage 37 9 in some suitable manner, as b y the struts 356. The wing 330 is provided with a plurality of supporting members or spars 331 and 332 extending longitudinally of the wing and preferably lwithin it.

The floats 390 and 391, in order to secure the aircraft, are connected to the wing 330 in such manner that they may be swung upward and inwardly intosheltered'position about the body of the aircraft when in flight in the following manner: At suitable positions along the 'spars 331 and 332 a plurality of posts 310, 311,l 312 and 313 are pivotally carried in the brackets 370, 371,I 372 and 373 -by the pivot pins 380, 381, 382 and 383 so cut-away or cavity portions` 34 positioned that the pontoons or floats 390 and 391 may be swung upwardly, backwardly land inwardly into body cavities320 and 321,

the lower ends of the posts turnin upon the pivots 360 361, 362 and 363 carried by thev floats thereby maintaining the floats in sub' stantiallyhorizontal position when the said floats 39() and 391 are drawn'upwardly and rearwardly into the cavities 320 and 321 by the contracting of the retracting and distending mechanism 420 connected by the ball and socket joint 386 to the float oralighting means 390 and by the contracting and distending mechanism 440 connected by ball and socket joint 387 to the float or alighting means 391. v

The ioats 390 and 391 are and 341 upon the inner sides toward the body in'such manner that when the ioatsl are in their sheltered positions within the body cavities 320 and 321, the lioat cavities 340 and 341 sub-b5 stantially face each other to provide a space 340--341, shown in dotted vlines 'in Figure 14, beneath the cockpit 349 of the aircraft to accommodate'the pilot and the seat 347.

These float cavities 340 and 341 .may be dll.-

plicated rearwardly for the accommodation of one or more additional persons or objects. rlhe body cavities 320 and 321 are separated by a longitudinally extending partition 350 'which is cut away opposite the float cavities 340 and 341 in order to provide an undivided space therebetween.

rovided with The retracting .and distending mechanism 420 is shownconnectediat its upper end to .the fuselage 379 by the ball and socketv joint 354 located forwardly of the similar ball and 'socket joint of retracting and distending 70 mechanism 440 and the lower end of said retracting and distending mechanism 420 is connected by the ball and socket joint 386 to the iloat 390fat a position within the float cavity 340 located forwardly of the similar ball `and socket joint 387l connecting the lower end of the retracting and distending mechanism 440 to the float 391 as shown diagrammatically in dottedlines in Figure 16.

The mechanism 420 is connected forwardly of the companion mechanism 4440- in order that there will be no interference with each other when both floats are fully retracted as indicated-by the positionof the floats in Figure 16. l

While I have shown the retracting and distending mechanism of this invention as havlng an outer cylindrical member with a con-V nection means,a single intermediate cylindrical member having a piston'head and a piston and rod having a connection means and reciprocating within the intermediate cylindrical member, it should be understood that it may be desirable that the mechanismy have more than 'one such intermediate cylindrical member and the same may be increased in number without deviating from the principles of this invention.

Manypvariations and modifications of the various forms of this invention will occur to those skilled in the art in the arrangement as well as in the component parts without departing from the principles of this inven-V tion.

What is claimed is 1. In an aircraft having 'a retractable landing-gear, a retracting means comprising an outer cylinder, at least one intermediate cylinder and piston in telescopic, relation within the outer cylinder, a rod and piston reciprocating .within an innermost cylinder, a fluid means connecting the outer cylinder with the intermediate cylinder or cylinders to telescopically retract the piston simultaneously and fluid ,-means connecting the outer cylinder with the intermediate c linder o-r cylinders to telescopically extend t e pistons.

2. In 'an aircraft having ,a retractable landing gear, retracting means comprising van outer cylinder, 'at least one intermediate cylinder and piston in telescopic relation within the outer cylinder, a rod and piston reciprocating within the innermost cylinder,

a Huid means connecting the outer cylinder with the intermediate 'cylinder or cylinders 125 to simultaneously enforce movement of the pistons in one direction thereby telescopically contracting said retracting means, Aand a fluid means connecting the outer cylinder with the intermediate cylinder or cylinders to posite direction to telescopically extend the u retracting means.

vwith .the intermediate cylinder or cylinders to telescopically extend the pistons.-

3. In an aircraft having a retractable landing gear, retracting means comprising an outer cylinder, at least one intermediate cylinder and piston in telescopic lrelation within the outer'cylinder, a rod and piston reciprocating Iwithin the innermost cylinder,l a Huid means carried with the Wall of the intermediate cylinder or cylinders connecting. -the outer cylinder with the intermediate cylinderor cylinders to telescopicall retract' the pistons simultaneously and a uid means connecting the outer cylinder 4. In an aircraft having a retractable landing gear,retracting means comprising an outer cylinder, at least one inter-mediate cylinder and piston in' telescopic vrelation Within the outer cylinder, a rod and piston reciprocating Within the innermost cylinder, a fluid means carried with the wall of the intermediate cylinder or cylinders connecting the outer cylinder with the intermediate cylinder or cylinders to simultaneously enforce movement of the pistons in one direction to telescopically retract thepistons and a fluid means connecting the outer cylinder with the intermediate cylinder or cylinders to simultaneously-enforce movement of the pistons in the opposite direction thereby telescopically extending the retracting means.

5. In an aircraft having a retractable landing gear, retracting means comprising an outer cylinder, at least one intermediate cylinder and piston in telescopic relation within the outer cylinder, a rod and piston reciprocating withln the innermost cylinder, a iluid means carried with the Wall of the intermediate cylinder or cylinders connect- .ing the outer cylinder withl the intermediate cylinder -or cylinders to simultaneously retract the pistons and cylinders to a length less than one-half of its extended length and a fluid means connecting the outer cylinder with the intermediate cylinder or cylinders to telescepically extend the pistons and cylinders.

6. In an :aircraft having a retractable landing gear, retracting means comprising I cylinder and an outer cylinder, at least one intermediate piston in telescopic relation within-the outer cylinder, a rod and piston reciprocating Within the innermost cylinder, a fluidl means carried with the Wall of the lintermediate cylinder or cylinders connecting the outer cylinder with the intermediate cylinder or cylinders to simultaneously retract the pistons and maintain the same against telescopic extensionv and a iluid means connecting thel outer cylinder with the intermediate cylinder or cylinders to telescopically extend the pistons and to resilienttraction.

7. In an aircraft'having a retractable landving gear, retracting means comprising an outer cylinder, an intermediate cylinder and plston reciprocating yWithin the outer cylinder, a rod and the intermediate cylinder, a ,luid passage carried with the wall of they; intermediate c linder connecting the outer/cylinder wlth t e intermediate cylinder anda fluid passage piston reciprocating within l in the intermediate cylinder and piston connecting the Iouter cylinder with the intermediate cylinder in all relative positions of the pistons and cylinders, a fluid means "connecting ,with said pistons and c linders to telescopically retract and maintain the same against telescopic extension and a fluid means connecting with `said pistons and cylinders to telescopically extend and resiliently maintain same against retraction.

8. In an aircraft havin :a body formed with a plurality of recesse cavities, a landing gear comprising a plurality of landing wheels rotatably carried upon ends of a plu- 'rality of shafts pivotally carried by the aircraft, a plurality of retracting means having a connection with the aircraft and a connection with the landing gear and comprising an outer cylinder, at least one intermediate cylinder and piston in telescopic relation Within the outer cylinder, a rod and piston' reciprocating witlnn the innermost cylinder, a fluid means carried with the wall of the intermediate cylinder or cylinders connecting the outer cylinder with the intermediate cylinder or cylinders in all their relative posi-` tions of retracting the wheels into the body cavities and fluid means connecting the outer cylinder with cylinders in all their relative positions of extending said landing gear.

- 9. In 'an aircraft having a body formed with al plurality of apertures, a landing gear comprising a lurality of landing Wheels carried rotatab y upon axle shafts lpivotally the intermediate cylinder or Y carried by the body centrally therebeneath to.

`rotate about 'a fixed point in planes substantially transverse of the vthe aircraft, a plurality of retracting means to retract and extend the wheels through the longitudinal axis of apertures in the body of the aircraft.

10.. In an aircraft having albod formed with a plurality of apertures, a lan ing gear comprising a lpluralit of landing wheels rotata ly carrie on en s of a plurality of axle shafts,"said`s'hafts pivdtally carried by the lrotate in/planes substantially transverse of the longitudinal axis of the aircraft, a. plurelation, said' retracting means being secured to the sides of the body of the aircraft opposite the wheels carried thereby, fluid' means'to body centrally therebeneath and adapted to Ylas , rality of retracting means comprising a plurality of cylinders and pistons in telscopicl retract the wheels through the apertures to positions within the body and fluid means to extend the said wheels.

1L In an aircraft having a body, formed 5 with a plurality of apertures, a landing gear com rising a plurality of landing wheels rotata ly carried upon a plurality of shafts ivotally carried by the body centrally thereneath to rotate in planes substantially 1 transverse of the lon 'tudinal axis of the aircraft, a plurality o retracting means having a connection with the aircraft and a connection with the landing gear and comprising an outer cylinder, at least one intermediate cylinder and piston intelescopic relation within the outer c linder, a rod and piston reciprocating within the innermost cylinder, and fluid means to simultaneously actuate the pistons to move said wheels to and from the apertures in the body of the aircraft.

12. In an aircraft having a body formed with a plurality of apertures, a landing gear tata ly carried upon a plurality of shafts ivotally carried by the body centrally thereneath to rotate in lanes substantially transverse of the lon 'tu inal axis of the aircraft, a plurality o retracting means, said means comprising an outer cylinder, at least one intermediate cylinder and piston in telesco ic relation within the outer cylinder, a rod an piston reciprocating within the innermost cylinder and fluid means carried with the wall of the intermediate cylinder or cylinders connecting the outer cylinder with the intermediate cylinder or cylinders in all rela- 4tive positions of said cylindersto retract and vextend the wheels through the apertures within the body of the aircraft.

13. In an aircraft, a landing gear comprising an alighting means carried upon ends of a plurality of shafts, pivotally carried with the aircraft, a retracting means comprising an outer cylinder, at 'least one intermediate v cylinder and piston in ltelescopic relation within the outer cylinder, a rod and piston reciprocating Within the innermost cylinder, a fluid means carried with the wall of the intermediate cylinder or cylinders connecting the outer cylinder with ythe intermediate cylinder or cylinders in all relative positions thereof to retract and extend the alighting means.

14. In an aircraft having a body formed with a plurality of Afloat cavities and a landing gear comprising a plurality of floats car: ried upon ends of a plurality of shafts pivotally carried by the aircraft, a plurality of retracting means comprising an outer cylinp der, at least one intermediate cylinder and piston in telescopic relation within the outer cylinder, a rod and piston reciprocating Within the innermost cylinder, a fluid means car- 8l .ried 'with the Wall of the intermediate cylincomprising a plurality of landing wheels rov der or cylinders connecting the outer cylinder with the intermediate cylinder or cylin- -ders to retract'the floats into the float cavities and to extend the floats in spaced relation to the body. y

15. In an aircraft having a body formed with a plurality of float cavities and a landing ear comprising a plurality of floats pivotal y carried upon ends cfa plurality of shafts to rotate in planes substantially parallel vto the longitudinal axes of the floats, said shafts being pivotally carried.by the aircraft to rotate in planes intercepting the longitudinaly axis of the body rearwardly, a plurality of retracting means comprising an outer cylinder, at least one intermediate cylinder and piston in vtelescopic relation Within the outer cylinder, a rod and piston reciprocating Within the innermost cylinder, a fluid means carried With the lWalls ofthe intermediate cylinder. or cylinders connecting the outer cylinder with the intermediate cylinder or cylinders to re-v tract the floats into the float cavities recessed in the body and fluidmeans connecting the outer cylinder with the intermediate cylinder or cylinders to extend the floats.

16. In an aircraft having a body formed with a plurality of longitudinally disposed cavities, a landing gear comprising a plurality of floats 'disposed in substantially parallel relationship and having portions cut away to form cavities in the proximate sides, a plurality of retracting means comprising an outer cylinder, at least one intermediate cylinder and piston in telescopic relation within the outer cylinder, a rod and iston, reciprocating within the innermost cy inder, a fluid means carried with the Wall of the intermediate cylinder or cylinders connecting the outer cylinder with the intermediate cylinder or cylinders to retract the floats into the cavities in the body and to extend the said floats.

17. InA a retracting mechanism for an aircraft landing gear, a plurality of telescopic cylinders and pistons to retract and extend said mechanism, a port in each end of each cylinder, fluid assages connected to at least the correspon ing ports of the upper end of each cylinder throughout the range of movement of said mechanism, a source of fluid pressure connected to the passages and sages to selectively connect the cylinders with said pressure source.

19. In -a retracting mechanism for an aircraft landing gear, a plurality of telescopic cylinders and pistons to retract and-extend said mechanism, a port -ineach end`of keach cylinder, fluid passages which at all times are connected to the corres onding ports of each cylinder, a source of uid pressure andn a source'of reduced pressure and valve means in the fluid passages to selectivel connect the corresponding ports in each cy inder to the source of fluid pressure or the source of reduced pressure.

20. In a retracting mechanism for an aircraft landing gear, an outer cylinder and one or more intermediate cylinders and pistons in telescopic relation to retract and expand said mechanism,a port in each end of each cylinder, `fluid connections connectin cor-- responding ports of each cylinder in al relative positions of the c linders, a source of fluid pressure connecte to the passages and valve means in the fluidv passages to selec- 'tively connect the ports with said pressure y source.

j 21. In an aircraft, a body having a plurality of aperturesa landing gear compris-V ing a (plurality of landing wheels rotatably carrie aircraft, a retracting mechanism forthe anding gear comprising a plurality of cylinders and pistons in telescopic relation to retract and extend said mechanism, a port in each end of each` cylinder, fluid passages which maintain connection to at least the corresponding ports of the upper end of each cylinder irrespective of tli'e relative positions between said c linders, a source of fluid, pres sure connecte tothe passages ,and valve means in the fluid passages to selectively con. nect'the cylinders with a fluid supply or exhaust, said landing wheels being adapted to be retracted through the apertures by the retracting mechanism to positions within the body. l

22. In an aircraft, a body having a plurality of apertures, a landingegear comprisupon shafts carried by the aircra t' ing a (plurality of landing wheels rotatabl carrie and adapted to rotatably pivot in planes substantially transverse of the longitudinal axis' cylinder irrespective of'l the relative l neet the cylinders with the fluid supply or exhaust, said landing wheels being apted upon shafts pivotally carried b the to be retracted through the apertures by the retracting mechanisms to positions within the body.

'23. In an aircraft, a body having a plurality of apertures, a landing gear compris.

ing a plurality of landing wheels rotatabl carried upon shafts carriedlglby the aircra t and adapted to rotatably pivtit in planes substantially transverse'of the longitudinal axis of the aircraft, a plurality of shock absorb- .ling and retracting mechanisms comprising a plurality of cylinders and pistons in telescopic relation to retract' and extend said mechanism, a portineach end of each cylinder, fluid passages to at least the corresponding ports of the upper end of each cylinder, a source of fiuid pressure connected to the ports in all relative positions of the cylinders and valve means inthe fluid passages to selectively connect the cylinders with a fluid supply or exhaust, said landingwheels being adapted to be retracted through the apertures by the retracting mechanisms to positions within the body.

24.' In 'an' aircraft having a body and a Wing, a landing gear comprising a plu-,l

rality of landing wheelsv rotatably. caring mechanisms having a connection with 'ried upon shafts ycarried by the aircraft, a plurality of shock absorbing and retract-v the aircraft and a connection'withthe landing gear and comprising a plurality of cylinders and'pistons in telescopic relation to retract and extend said mechanism, a port in each end of eachcylinder, fluid passages lto at least the corresponding ports of the upper end of each cylinder, a source of fiuid pressure connected to the ports in all relative positions of the cylinders and valve means in tl'ievfluid passages to selectively connect the cylinders with a fluid supply or exhaust, said shock absorbing and retracting mechanisms being adapted to retract the landing wheels toward the wing and to extend the landing Wheels andinaintain the sam resiliently in extended position. l

25. In an aircraft, a landing gear compris'I in afloat carried upon the ends of a plu- Ara ity of 'shafts' pivotally carried by the aircraft, a retracting'means comprising a plu- .rality `of cylinders and pistons in telescopic relation, a port in each end of each cylinder,

fluid connections to at least the corresponding ports of the upper end of each cylinder, a source of fluid pressure connected to the ports i'io Y fao in all relative 'positions of the cylinders and valve 'means in the fluid passages to selectively connect the cylinders with a fluid supply or exhaust.

26. In an aircraft having a body, a recess in each side of the body, a landing gear comi'zisA i prising a plurality of. floats carried upon ends i of a plural-ity of shafts carried by the aircraft andv adapted to be swung. into the body recesses, a plurality of retracting means having sure connected to the ports in all relative positions ofthe cylinders and valve-means in the fluid passages to selectively connect the cylinders with a fluid supply or exhaust.

27. In an aircraft havin a body formed with a recess in each side t ereof, a landing `gear comprising a plurality of floats pivotally carried upon ends of a plurality of shafts to pivotally rotate in planes substantially parallel to said shafts being pivotally carried by the aircraft to pivotally rotate in planes intercepting the longitudmal axis of the body, a plurality of retracting mechanisms to obliquely retract the floats into the recesses, comprising a plurality of cylinders and pistons in telescopic relation to retract and extend said mechanism, a port in each end of each cylinder, fluid connections to 'at least the corresponding ports of the upper end of each cylinder, a source of fluid pressure connected tothe connections and Valve means in thefluid connections tov selectively connect the cylinders with the fluid supply or exhaust'.

28. In an aircraft having a body formed with a recess in each side, a landing gear comprising a plurality of floats carried pivotally in substantially parallel relationship upon shafts carried by the aircraft and adapted to swing upon said shafts into the body recesses, said floats having portions 40 cut away-to form recessed portions in the proximate sides, a plurality of retractingj mechanisms to retract the floats into the body recesses comprising a plurality of cylinders and pistons in telescopic relation to retract and extend, a port in each end of each cylinder, fluid passages to at least the corresponding ports of the upper end' of each cylmder, a source'of fluid pressure connected to the ports in alll positions of the cylinders` andV valve means in the fluid passages to selectively connect the cylinders with a fluid supply or exhaust.

-' 29. In an, aircraft, a body having a longitudinally disposed recess in each side thereof, a landing gear comprising a plurality of floats, a plurality of shafts having .pivotal Aconnectionswith thefaircraft and with the floats and adapted to respectively swing the floats from a position below and in advance of said body obliquely into the recesses in the body and means operable from the bodyof the aircraft toretract and extend the floats. 30. In an aircraftv having a body and a Wing, a landing gear comprising a plurality of landing Wheels 'rotatably carried upon shafts by the aircraft, a plurality of retractthe longitudinal axes of the floats,

ing mechanisms adapted to retract the landing wheels toward the wing and toy extend the landing wheels and maintain the same in extended position, said retracting means comprising a pluralit.- of cylinders and pistons 1n telescopic re ation, a port in -each end of each cylinder, fluid passages toat least the corresponding ports of the upper end of eachLcyli-nder, a source of fluid pressu're connected to the passages in all relative positions of the cylinders andA valve means in the fluidpassages to selectively connect the cylinders with a'fluid supply or exhaust. y

31. A mechanism for operating .an aircraft landing gear comprising a plurality of telescopically mounted cylinders and pistons and means for movin g said cylinders and pistons with respect 4to each otherl to retract or extend said gear, said means comprising a source of fluid force, and a passage means connecting said source to each of said pistons at all times throughout their range of movement for retracting or extending said gear.

32. A mechanism for operating an aircraft ,landing gear comprising a plurality of tele- Y scopically mounted cylinders and pistonsand means for moving said cylinders and pistons with respect to each other to retract or extend said gear, said means comprising a source of fluid force, and a passage means connecting said source to each of said pistons at all times throughout their range of movement for re'tracting or extending said gear and valvemeans in said passage means to selectively control the Huid and maintain said pistons in either a retracted or extended position as desired.

33. In an aircraft, a landing .gear comprising a`plurality of landing wheels rotatably carried upon ends-'of a plurality of shafts pivotally carried by the aircraft` a plurality of mechanisms for retracting the landing gear comprising a plural-ity oftelescopically mounted cylindersand pistons and means for moving said cylinders and pistons with respect to each other to retract or extend said gear, said means comprising a source of fluid force, and a passage means connecting said source to each of said pistons at all times Vthroughout their range of movement for retractingor extending said gear.

34. In an aircraft, a mechanism for operating a landing gear comprising a main cylinder, anauxiliary'cylinder operatlng therein asfa piston, a piston operable in said auxllllary cylinder, said main cylinder having a passage in the wall thereof, said auxiliary cylinder having a passage in the wal'l thereof, said first named passage always 1n comlnunication with said second named passage and said second named passage extending vbeneath said first flamed piston, all for the purpose herein set forth.

JESS C. RADNOR. 

